Author: Alexander, Cameron ; Durrant, Lindy ; Gurnani, Pratik ; Bennett, Clare L ; Moloney, Cara ; Mata, Alvaro ; Galley, Charlotte ; Symonds, Peter ; Bayraktutan, Hulya ; Brentville, Victoria A

DNA technology has emerged as a promising route to accelerated manufacture of sequence agnostic vaccines. For activity, DNA vaccines must be protected and delivered to the correct antigen presenting cells. However, the physicochemical properties of the vector must be carefully tuned to enhance interaction with immune cells and generate sufficient immune response for disease protection. In this study, we have engineered a range of polymer-based nanocarriers based on the poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE) polycation platform to investigate the role that surface poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) density has on pDNA encapsulation, formulation properties and gene transfectability both in vitro and in vivo. We achieved this by synthesising a non-PEGylated and PEGylated PBAE and produced formulations containing these PBAEs, and mixed polyplexes to tune surface PEG density. All polymers and co-formulations produced small polyplex nanoparticles with almost complete encapsulation of the cargo in all cases. Despite high gene transfection in HEK293T cells, only the fully PEGylated and mixed formulations displayed significantly higher expression of the reporter gene than the negative control in dendritic cells. Further in vivo studies with a bivalent SARS-CoV-2 pDNA vaccine revealed that only the mixed formulation led to strong antigen specific T-cell responses, however this did not translate into the presence of serum antibodies indicating the need for further studies into improving immunisation with polymer delivery systems.

01 Oct 2024·Journal of Controlled Release

The role of helper lipids in optimising nanoparticle formulations of self-amplifying RNA

Article

Author: Samnuan, Karnyart ; McKay, Paul F ; Day, Suzanne ; Peeler, David J ; Shattock, Robin J ; Barbieri, Beatriz D ; Hu, Kai ; Sallah, Hadijatou J ; Tregoning, John S

Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation plays a vital role in RNA vaccine delivery. However, further optimisation of self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine formulation could help enhance seroconversion rates in humans and improve storage stability. Altering either the ionisable or helper lipid can alter the characteristics and performance of formulated saRNA through the interplay of the phospholipid's packing parameter and the geometrical shape within the LNP membrane. In this study, we compared the impact of three helper lipids (DSPC, DOPC, or DOPE) used with two different ionisable lipids (MC3 and C12-200) on stability, transfection efficiency and the inflammation and immunogenicity of saRNA. While helper lipid identity altered saRNA expression across four cell lines in vitro, this was not predictive of an ex vivo or in vivo response. The helper lipid used influenced LNP storage where DSPC provided the best stability profile over four weeks at 2-8 °C. Importantly, helper lipid impact on LNP storage stability was the best predictor of expression in human skin explants, where C12-200 in combination with DSPC provided the most durable expression. C12-200 LNPs also improved protein expression (firefly luciferase) and humoral responses to a SARS-CoV-2 spike saRNA vaccine compared to MC3 LNPs, where the effect of helper lipids was less apparent. Nevertheless, the performance of C12-200 in combination with DSPC appears optimal for saRNA when balancing preferred storage stability requirements against in vivo and ex vivo potency. These data suggest that helper lipid influences the stability and functionality of ionisable lipid nanoparticle-formulated saRNA.

01 Feb 2023·eClinicalMedicine

COVAC1 phase 2a expanded safety and immunogenicity study of a self-amplifying RNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

Article

Author: O'Hara, Jessica ; Szubert, Alex J ; Bern, Henry ; Bird, Olivia ; Galiza, Eva ; Faust, Saul N ; Cosgrove, Catherine A ; Cole, Tom ; Pollock, Katrina M ; Milinkovic, Ana ; Libri, Vincenzo ; Dunn, David T ; Fidler, Sarah ; McFarlane, Leon R ; Owens, Daniel ; Owen, David R ; Hassanin, Hana ; McCormack, Sheena ; Alagaratnam, Jasmini ; Rampling, Tommy ; Kalyan, Mohini ; Woolley, James ; Boffito, Marta ; Byrne, Ruth ; Shattock, Robin J ; Yim, Yee Ting N ; Cheeseman, Hannah M ; Pacurar, Mihaela ; Winston, Alan ; Skene, Simon

BackgroundLipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulated self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is well tolerated and immunogenic in SARS-CoV-2 seronegative and seropositive individuals aged 18-75.MethodsA phase 2a expanded safety and immunogenicity study of a saRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate LNP-nCoVsaRNA, was conducted at participating centres in the UK between 10th August 2020 and 30th July 2021. Participants received 1 μg then 10 μg of LNP-nCoVsaRNA, ∼14 weeks apart. Solicited adverse events (AEs) were collected for one week post-each vaccine, and unsolicited AEs throughout. Binding and neutralisating anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody raised in participant sera was measured by means of an anti-Spike (S) IgG ELISA, and SARS-CoV-2 pseudoneutralisation assay. (The trial is registered: ISRCTN17072692, EudraCT 2020-001646-20).Findings216 healthy individuals (median age 51 years) received 1.0 μg followed by 10.0 μg of the vaccine. 28/216 participants were either known to have previous SARS-CoV2 infection and/or were positive for anti-Spike (S) IgG at baseline. Reactogenicity was as expected based on the reactions following licensed COVID-19 vaccines, and there were no serious AEs related to vaccination. 80% of baseline SARS-CoV-2 naïve individuals (147/183) seroconverted two weeks post second immunization, irrespective of age (18-75); 56% (102/183) had detectable neutralising antibodies. Almost all (28/31) SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals had increased S IgG binding antibodies following their first 1.0 μg dose with a ≥0.5log10 increase in 71% (22/31).InterpretationEncapsulated saRNA was well tolerated and immunogenic in adults aged 18-75 years. Seroconversion rates in antigen naïve were higher than those reported in our dose-ranging study. Further work is required to determine if this difference is related to a longer dosing interval (14 vs. 4 weeks) or dosing with 1.0 μg followed by 10.0 μg. Boosting of S IgG antibodies was observed with a single 1.0 μg injection in those with pre-existing immune responses.FundingGrants and gifts from the Medical Research Council UKRI (MC_PC_19076), the National Institute for Health Research/Vaccine Task Force, Partners of Citadel and Citadel Securities, Sir Joseph Hotung Charitable Settlement, Jon Moulton Charity Trust, Pierre Andurand, and Restore the Earth.

100 Deals associated with SARS-CoV-2 saRNA vaccine(Acuitas)

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Indication	Highest Phase	Country/Location	Organization	Date
COVID-19	Preclinical	CA	Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc.	09 Jul 2020

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